Why Obama, Putin look so glum

"Our positions do not fully coincide, but we are united by the common intention to end the violence, to stop the number of victims increasing in Syria, to resolve the problems by peaceful means, including the Geneva talks," said Putin.

"We agreed to push the process of peace talks and encourage the parties to sit down at the negotiation table, organise the talks in Geneva," he said.

Why Obama, Putin look so glum

"With respect to Syria, we do have differing perspectives on the problem but we share an interest in reducing the violence and securing chemical weapons and ensuring that they're neither used nor are they subject to proliferation," Obama said.

He said the two leaders had instructed their teams to work on a peace conference about Syria in Geneva.

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Image: Obama and Putin walk away after their meeting during the G8 SummitPhotographs: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Why Obama, Putin look so glum

The United States announced it would begin arming Syria's opposition forces because it has proof chemical weapons were used against the rebels. But Russia has dismissed the claims, saying they're based on flimsy evidence.

The G8 summit is taking place at the Lough Erne resort with the launch of formal negotiations on a free trade agreement between the European Union and the United States.

On the summit's agenda are three key issues: advancing #8482 ensuring tax compliance; promoting greater transparency. But Syria crisis also dominates the summit.

The group attending the event is made up of the leaders of the United States, Russia, Japan, Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Canada.

Image: Obama has an heated discussion with Putin over how to end the war in SyriaPhotographs: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters